In my last blog post, I was in Brazil with no luggage. Did any of you readers wonder whether I had even returned? OK, so most of my readers are related to me and knew where I was. That is a interesting but disconcerting thing about internet acquaintances from far away – they can disappear…

Since I have been travelling so much, I am dredging the depths of the Air Canada movie selection. I watched At Chesil Beach – a predictably depressing movie based on the Ian McEwan novel. This was followed by Won’t You Be My Neighbour – a documentary about the career and philosophy of Fred Rogers – aka…

That’s it! Walked 12 km to the bus stop in Cañaveral, and my 2018 Camino was over. I celebrated with a second breakfast of cafe con leche and three doughnuts. The bus to Salamanca took 3 hours and went through some familiar places and some towns I had never been in. In Salamanca I met…

I awoke after a night of fitful sleep, looking forward to my last full day of walking. It was another perfect day. Among the photos you can see clever recycling of old bedsprings as fencing, and also the high speed train construction. Being Sunday, all was quiet. I had a reservation at the Albergue Embalse…

Just as in Córdoba on the May 1 long weekend, accommodation logistics have been difficult because of the WOMAD Festival in Cáceres. I knew I would otherwise be bringing up the rear of the day’s walking delegation and possibly arrive to no room at the inn, so I had a leisurely breakfast and got on…

Uneventful walk today. It was not too hilly or rocky so the 26 km were not so bad. I quite like the albergue here, and enjoyed a return to the excellent bar/restaurant El Rincón de Julia. If the albergue is full (as it is now) Julia can find places in local homes for overflow pilgrims.

Keep in mind that the kms above are the distances between albergues. Not included are the several km each day doing errands or sightseeing in town. Another “easy” day by some standards. However, I find that after 20 km, my body feels like it has done a solid day’s work. After 25 km it starts…

Breakfast with my prodigal friends, Rosa and Palitos. Walk past the always-impressive aquaduct. Onto the highway out of town and to the Roman dam at Proserpina. The day was overcast and good for walking. I felt good in this familiar ground – this is my third year in a row that I’ve walked this stage.…

Picking up the saga from yesterday’s uncertainty about how to get out of town, it seemed to me that walking might be best way after all! However M had to get to Mérida today. The morning action was centered at the Bar Paco Yuma, across the street from the unmarked spot where the bus supposedly…

First thing in the morning we had to see N off at the train… Then on to the camino… A pre-Roman archaeological site popped into view – Las Matas, and then some (possible) mines and/or brickworks. Getting closer, we discussed plans. Our group had disbanded and M had to meet family for…

Spanish towns know how to clean up after a fiesta, but we got out before the street cleaners. Today, M and M were veering off to explore a new Camino route through Trujillos. You can follow them at http://www.magwood.me. We all said tearful goodbyes, but 10 minutes later we ran into each other again in…

Off to a leisurely start. I left a bit later than the others, and from a different hotel. I managed to find coffee and churros as fuel, so after a few hours I caught up with M and M. (We have 3 Ms in the group.) Passing a small property with a large shed and…

Today was my first 30+km day on this camino – I’ve wimped out on prior “opportunities” but today I felt pretty good – blisters are improving and the weather was great. The day started with Aussie-M organizing us with military precision for a sunrise photo. Scenery was wonderful with wildflowers in profusion. An abandoned railway…